Playing-cards.



' W. SHAKESPEARE, JR.

PLAYING CARDS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1907.

Patented May 31, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

bNDREW u. GRAHAM c PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHEHS WASHINGTON, B, c.

W. SHAKESPEARE, JR.

PLAYING CARDS. AIPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1907.

Patented May 31, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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A NDREW a GRAHAM 00., PHOTU-LITHOGRAFNERS. WASHINGTON, n c.

w; SHAKESPEARE, JR.

PLAYING CARDS.

V APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1907.

60,59 Patented May 31,1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Fig 5 Wiimesses.

ANDREW a. GRAHAM 4:0,, PHOTU-LITHOGRAFNERS. WASHINGTON. n c

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, JR., 015 KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

PLAYING-CARDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 31, 1910.

Application filed April 22, 1907. Serial No. 369,610.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SHAKE- sPnARn, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Playing-Gards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in playing cards.

It is the object of this invention to provide an improved game, which, though simple and within the scope of children, is interesting for mature persons, in that it is a game involving skill.

A further object is to provide an improved game into which mathematical calculations enter largely, and at the same time, one in which the element of chance is ever present.

A still further object is to provide an improved game which is capable of very great variation in details and in the results attained thereby.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part .of this specification, in which Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are plan views of cards embodying the features of my invention, only three corresponding cards of each suit being illustrated; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of a suit of cards embodying my invention; Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of cards showing my invention with a different style of plp or spot, the pips or spots of the well-known playing cards being utilized.

In the drawings, similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawing, the cards A, A A A are what I term the zero or balance cards of the suit. For each suit I also provide six cards valued from 1 to 6, plus or positive, and six cards valued from 1 to 6, minus or negative. (See Fig. 5 where the plus or positive cards B, B B B B B of the suit shown in Fig. 1 are illustrated.) The six negative cards of this suit are duplicates of the positive cards, except that the minus or negative sign is substituted for the plus or positive sign. (See 0, Fig. 1.) This arrangement is duplicated in each of the suits. I preferably provide the zero or balance card with some artistic or fanciful figure, as a cupid, or the like. These figures are arranged so that the cards are reversible. The cards are also provided with suit-indicating pips and also value-indicating characters, at diagonally opposite corners, for convenience. I have indicated the value of the balance card by the character Z, standing for zero. The pips or spots are preferably arranged in the same manner as the pips or spots of the wellknown playing cards. This arrangement of the parts, consisting of the balance or zero cards, and six plus or positive cards and six minus or negative cards, gives thirteen cards to the suit and fifty-two cards to the deck, which I find a convenient number. It gives sufficient cards for use under ordinary circumstances. The number of cards to the suit, and the number of suits in a pack, may, however, be variedas desired.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the application of the familiar pips of the ordinary playing cards adapted to my invention. I desire to remark, however, that the design of the pip may be changed as desired, and also that figures, such as soldiers, sailors, ships, animals, or the like, may be used.

The number of variations of which my improved game is capable is so great that it is impracticable to describe them. It is sufficient to call attention to the fact that each plus or positive card has an offset in a minus or negative card, and that the balance or zero card is an ofi'set for any other card or combination of cards, and is, therefore, a card of the highest value.

In the most simple game the players must follow suit if possible, but may play either positive or negative cardswhich increase or diminish the value of the trickas they deem advisable under the particular circumstances, the highest positive card taking the trick. The counting value of the trick may, however, be minus, according to the cards played.

One of the important games capable of being played with my improved cards is played according to the following rules: Having dealt to each of four players, thirteen cards, the player at the left of the counts one trick, and second player takes it.

in,-unless the third player happens to have a balance card, which, when played, gives a zero trick to the player whoplays a balance I card. Cards are played in rotation, each playing only one, whether he takes a trick or not. Tricks are taken only when the sum total of all cards equals zero.

As before remarked, the variations in the game and methods of counting are so numerous that it is impracticable to attempt a description thereof. Such variation will, however, readily appear to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates. I am aware, however, that it iscapable of very great variation in details without departing from my invention, and I desire to claim the same specifically as well as broadly.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. A game device comprising a set of cards divided into a plurality of suits, each suit comprising two series of cards having corresponding indicating pips and numbers, the cards of one series having positive signs and cards of the other series negative signs, each of said suits having a zero card.

2. A game device comprising a set of cards divided into a plurality of suits, each suit comprising two series of cards having corresponding indicating pips and numbers,

the cards of one series having positive signs and cards of the other series negative signs.

3. A game device comprising a set of cards divided into a plurality of suits, each suit comprising two series of cards, the cards of one series having positive signs and cards of the other series negative signs, each of said suits having a zero card.

4. A game device comprising a set of cards divided into a plurality of suits, each suit comprising two series of cards, the cards of one series having positive signs and cards of the other series negative signs.

5. A game device comprising a set of cards divided into suits, each suit comprising two series of cards having suit pips and value indicia thereon, the suit pips of both series of each suit being the same, and the value indicia of one series indicating values offsetting that of the other series of the suit, each of the suits having a zero card.

6. A game device comprising a set of cards divided into suits, each suit comprising two series of cards having suit pips and value indicia thereon, the suit pips of both series of each suit being the same, and the value indicia of one series indicating values offsetting that of the other series of the suit.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, IE. [I]. 8.]

Witnesses:

WALLACE F. W. STAFFORD, Gno..E. Foo'rE. 

